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FISH PHOTOGRAPHY

Nearly everyone carries a camera on fishing and diving expeditions these days. Good photographs can be valuable in determining the identification of a questionable fish, particularly if the catch has already been eaten. Anglers frequently rely on hastily taken snapshots in order to later identify their catch. Their usefulness is sometimes diminished because little care was taken in preparing the fish. The following steps will ensure the photos are of good diagnostic quality: (1) The specimen should be photographed when fresh as live colours fade rapidly after death. (2) An attempt should be made to spread out the fins. With small fishes you can hold the fins erect with sewing pins on a piece of flat styrofoam or cardboard. (3) Wet fish should be blotted dry with a cloth or paper to prevent harsh glare when photographed. (4) The specimen should be placed on a suitable contrasting background and photographed as close as the lens will allow for sharp focus, attempting to fill the frame. (5) It is helpful if a ruler or some other object of known length can be placed besides the fish when it is photographed in order to determine its length later on.

Underwater photography is a fascinating hobby and will add a new dimension to your diving activities. Fish photography, if done on a regular basis, is an excellent method of learning the fishes of an area. Most beginners start out with a Nikonos or one of the relatively inexpensive automatics in a perspex housing. However, to obtain high quality fish portraits it is advisable to use an SLR camera housed in a special case made of perspex or aluminum alloy. In addition, strobe lighting is a must. The cost of the basic outfit ranges from about $3,000- 5,000, so only the serious photographer will consider this alternative. Even for accomplished divers it requires much practice and patience before good results are obtained. The combination of a moving subject on variable backgrounds present a great challenge.

Diver at work, Madang, Papua New Guinea. Underwater photography is the best way to record the fantastic range of colours shown by coral reef fishes. (R. Steene)